Samuel N. Goddard

WATERVILLE – Samuel Nevers Goddard was born in Waterville in what was known as “Thayer Hospital” Aug. 25, 1938.

Sam had a good life; born to educated/professional parents. He attended Waterville Public Schools, graduated from Waterville High School in 1956. In high school, he was part of the prestigious “Club 56”. He graduated from MCI in 1957, and from the University of Maine in 1961 with a science degree of entomology.

In 1961, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Bard. Shortly after their marriage, Sam proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Medical Specialist. At Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio Texas, he was part of a MASH Unit; he taught biology and worked in the hospital treating burn victims; he was later transferred to Fort Devons, Massachusetts where he worked as a game warden.

Sam was decorated with various medals, including “Expert” in Markmanship.

Discharged from the Army, he joined the family insurance business (then known as L.O. Tebbetts) He was instrumental in the merger of that family business with another Waterville insurance agency (J. B. Friel Co); it then became known as Goddard Hodgdon Mitchell (now known as GHM Agency). He served GHM Agency as its President, and was the designated broker for their Real Estate division. Retired from GHM in 2001, and became a “gentlemen farmer” in his country home of China Village.

Sam enjoyed hunting and fishing, locally, throughout the country and internationally; he valued the friendships of his long-time (some life-long) friends.

Restoration of his 1925 Pierce Arrow became a fun and challenging hobby for him; parades, conventions and met many new friends.

Sam had a lifelong interest in volunteerism. Shortly after his discharged from the military, he co-started and was troop leader for Boy Scouts of America at the First Baptist Church. Among the many volunteer functions, he served as “Assessment Review” chairman, for city of Waterville; Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Moderator for First Baptist Church; Chairman of Waterville Osteopathic Hospital (now Northern Lights Inland Hospital) New Horizon; Chairman of Foundation Board and Finance Committee for Kennebec Behavioral Agency, and took pride in the 40 years of service to the agency. He was proud of his Scottish heritage of the Colquhoun clan.

Sam was a 50-year member of the Waterville Rotary Club, and served as its treasurer and president in 1964 and was awarded the coveted “Paul Harris Fellow”. Sam was a charter member of the China Historical Society. He is named in the “Outstanding Young Men of America” (1971).

Sam was predeceased by parents G. Cecil and Clara “Pat” Nevers Goddard; and niece Julie Smith.

Survived by his wife, Jan; daughters Suzanne of China Village, Rebecca (David) Bean of Williamsburg, Va.; sisters Jacqueline Black of China Village, Melissa Ayer of New Jersey; nephew James Smith, and niece, Joanna Bearce.

At his request, there will be no funeral; a private burial at a later date.